Zion Regrets Leaving Duke Early? Blue Devils Legend Hints at ‘Unfinished Business
In a stunning revelation that’s causing a frenzy among Duke fans and college basketball enthusiasts, NBA superstar Zion Williamson recently opened up about his brief college stint with the Duke Blue Devils. During an appearance on Kevin Durant’s “Boardroom” podcast, Zion dropped a line that lit up social media: “Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if I stayed one more year at Duke. I feel like there was unfinished business.”
Williamson’s one-and-done season in 2018–19 is still considered one of the most electrifying years in college basketball history. Averaging 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while captivating the nation with jaw-dropping dunks and dominating defense, Zion made Duke the most-watched team in the country. Despite the hype, the Blue Devils fell short in the NCAA tournament, losing to Michigan State in the Elite Eight.
Zion’s comment reignited a flood of “what ifs” from Duke fans who believed that team, featuring RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Tre Jones, could’ve gone all the way with more time to gel. On social media, fans posted highlight reels and reminisced about the magic of Cameron Indoor during Zion’s short reign. One user wrote, “The best Duke team since 2015 didn’t even make the Final Four. We were robbed.”
Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who led the Blue Devils during Zion’s season, weighed in with his own take in a follow-up interview with ESPN. “Zion was the most dominant college player I’ve coached in that short span,” Coach K said. “If he had come back, no doubt in my mind—we would’ve won the national championship.”
With the evolution of college basketball and the rise of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, some fans began fantasizing about an alternate timeline. “Imagine if Zion had NIL back then—he might’ve stayed another year and made millions without leaving school,” tweeted a Duke alum. Others joked about him returning to Duke in a coaching role or even suiting up in a secret alumni exhibition game.
Zion acknowledged the changes in the college landscape, saying, “Man, if I had the chance to make the kind of money college players are making now… it would’ve been a tough decision to leave.” Though his NBA journey has had its ups and downs with injuries, Williamson’s admiration for Duke remains unwavering. “Duke gave me a brotherhood, a platform, and memories I’ll never forget,” he added.
The current Blue Devils squad, under head coach Jon Scheyer, took Zion’s comments as motivation. Rising star Caleb Foster said, “Hearing a legend like Zion say that he had unfinished business here? It fires us up. We want to be the team that finishes what he started.” The 2025 squad is already among preseason title favorites, and Zion’s words just added fuel to their fire.
Zion also shared that his bond with Coach K and his teammates remains strong. “RJ and I still talk about that season. We were so close,” he said. “Cam, Tre, we built something special—even if it didn’t end the way we hoped.” That sense of camaraderie and missed opportunity continues to haunt the former Blue Devil.
Fans online began calling for a Zion tribute game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where he could return to be honored at halftime. Others even pushed for a documentary chronicling the “one that got away.” Duke basketball historian Seth Davis tweeted, “Zion saying this is like Jordan wondering if he left UNC too early. That 2019 Duke team will go down as one of the greatest never to win it.”
While Williamson is now firmly entrenched in the NBA, his reflections stirred something deep within the college basketball community. “That year at Duke changed my life,” he said. “But sometimes, yeah… I wonder what would’ve happened if I stayed just a little longer.” Those words, simple yet heavy, reminded fans of a magical season that ended too soon.
Whether or not Zion truly regrets leaving, one thing is certain: his time at Duke left a legacy that still echoes through the halls of Cameron Indoor. His latest comments only add to the legend—and to the heartbreak of what could have been.
